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Help an Old Guy Change!

#21
OP, I think a 55-94 or JO5 would be a great choice for you. So would a Sadowsky Metro. I know that as much as I love my Fender Jazz V, the one thing thing that the Metro was totally better on was the neck profile. Lakland necks are super comfy too.

Finally, just in case you decide that you don't want to go all out on five strings, look for a used MTD Kingston or Heir. They have an asymetrical neck profile, but it works just fine.:bassist:
 
#24
Mike,
I've also been playing for 30 years. Believe me, the switch is not as intimidating as it may sound. Yes, there will be a readjustment, but think of it as a 4-string with a low B, not "more crap I gotta do in order for someone to hire me". If it means you're more valuable as a bass player, I would not hesitate.
There is room for "the new school" (like tappers and loopers), but for old school; I have tried floor pedals and 6-string basses. Believe me, band leaders don't care if you have either - they just want you to groove.

One upside to a 5-string is that you can play all those repeated bass figures further up the neck, closer to you -- that's more comfortable. Also, there's nothing like hitting that low note at the end of a song -- it's magic!

There's a lot of logic in staying with a 34" scale when you hop over to a 5-string, but if you have big hands (I have long fingers), you might enjoy 35" scale. I enjoy the more taught B from a 35" scale.

Some good contenders:
Lakland
Mike Lull
(If you have some $$ to invest) Skjold
Sadowsky

Yes, there are MANY other fine high end builders out there, but I am assuming you are looking for a workhorse that sounds familiar and feels comfortable.
 
#25
Dr. Cheese said:
OP, I think a 55-94 or JO5 would be a great choice for you. So would a Sadowsky Metro. I know that as much as I love my Fender Jazz V, the one thing thing that the Metro was totally better on was the neck profile. Lakland necks are super comfy too.
Click to expand...

+1 - Cheese is preachin'!

I'm not a Fender guy because I'm too big a snob and I like a tighter B string from a 35" scale --- but to each his own.
 
#26
I too like my Sadowsky and Lakland. I figured that this was a good opportunity to get a quality 5er just trading something that I wasnt using. I hope that this won't be my final 5 stringer, but maybe a good start. Down the road, I will definitely check out the lakland and Sadowsky 5ers
 
#29
From another one of the "old guys" here at TB, it's well worth the switch to a 5 (or more ;)) for those of us with a lot of years behind us. When I went to my first five it was a little bit different getting adjusted to that B, but I quickly adapted and then kept adding more strings .... I rarely play a 4 any more, you get used to that extra range and freedom of positioning.

So sure, go for it .... and I really like the Bongo if you can pull that off. Pretty soon you'll be looking for a 6 + :D. If I can pull it off, anyone can ..... :cool:
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#32
I played 4 string for 26 yrs then switched over to a 5'er, it wasn't that hard. It was a lot harder trying to transpose songs with the 4 string, I simply got tired of that and decided to heck with it, I'm going over to 5 string. Today, I don't even like playing a 4 string, I used the low B too much - I love it.

As far as basses with the proper spacing that you would like, Lakland is probably one of the best. I started with an Ibanez BTB405QM, which had fairly wide spacing. Today I'm playing a '08' MIA Fender Jazz V and simply love it.

Just dive on in, you won't regret it.;)
 
#35
vinxbass said:
I played 4 string for 26 yrs then switched over to a 5'er, it wasn't that hard. It was a lot harder trying to transpose songs with the 4 string, I simply got tired of that and decided to heck with it, I'm going over to 5 string. Today, I don't even like playing a 4 string, I used the low B too much - I love it.

As far as basses with the proper spacing that you would like, Lakland is probably one of the best. I started with an Ibanez BTB405QM, which had fairly wide spacing. Today I'm playing a '08' MIA Fender Jazz V and simply love it.

Just dive on in, you won't regret it.;)
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Since Vinx and I have pretty much identical basses, I have to give some love the American Standard Jazz V. It has more of a C neck profile as opposed to the D profile on the Lakland and Sadowsky, but it is a great bass that is full of passive goodness with a great b string!:bassist:
 
#37
I'm an old guy who has attempted to make the switch from 4 to 5 (Peavey, Hamer, Yamaha, MusicMan SUB) one time too many. I would advise getting a relatively inexpensive 5'er and if you bond, fine but if you don't you're not out too much money. I found the B-string to be the world's most expensive thumb rest. I wish you the best and I hope your experience is better than mine have been.
 
#39
T-Birds hang differently than most basses, or so I've read. I love the look but wonder about practicality. BTW, nothing wrong w/considering the potential downsides of snagging a fiver(might not get played, awkward/can't adapt). my experiences have been good but I ain't everybody. :)
 

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